Single to densely clustered on well-decayed conifer wood; fruiting during the mid-winter months.

Edibility

Unknown, too small to be of culinary value.

Comments

Looking much like a miniature Hericium erinaceus, and possibly distantly related, this tooth fungus is easily recognized by its inverted growth form and lignicolous habit. Though not rare, it is seldom found, except by collectors combing downed logs for inconspicuous polypores, mycenas, etc. An interesting aspect of this fungus is the presence of crystals in the hyphal tissue, many of which are tetrahedral in shape.